Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 146

After the three questions were asked, not only were Qin Mo and Song Qingzhan stunned, but even Xu Shen was taken aback.

Weren’t they supposed to be having fun together every day?

Xu Shen stared at Lu Tang with a shocked and puzzled expression. Before Zhuang Yu could respond, Xu Shen roared, “We agreed to be idle rascals together, but you secretly went to study?”

Lu Tang:!

She shrank her neck and weakly extended her pinky finger, pinching the tip with her thumb. “I just learned a tiny bit.”

Xu Shen glared at Lu Tang, then turned to Zhuang Yu and raised his chin, “Smart former Imperial Censor, my friend only learned a little bit. You can start now. After all, it’s not easy for us idle rascals to learn something.”

Lu Tang:…

The sarcasm was deadly.

Zhuang Yu:…

Forget answering, he couldn’t even understand the second question about chickens and rabbits.

What was this?

Identifying by feel?

Despite his rough exterior, Zhuang Yu valued humility in seeking knowledge. He didn’t understand, so he admitted it. “I can’t answer the second question. For the first one, I would draw the two sides you mentioned in actual proportions and then measure the third side. That should give the correct answer.”

Lu Tang nodded. “That’s one way to do it.”

Hearing her casual tone, Zhuang Yu felt unsatisfied. “You only know these measurements because they’re three meters and four meters. What if I change the numbers? Can you still know the answer?”

“As long as the angle is right, you can change the numbers as you wish. Just don’t use hundreds or thousands; you’ll tire yourself out.”

Zhuang Yu glared at Lu Tang, silent for a while. He seemed to be pondering whether to measure or continue the game.

Just when Lu Tang was getting impatient, Zhuang Yu dryly asked, “What do cacti like to do?”

Lu Tang chuckled. The old man was quite stubborn.

Folding her arms, she replied smugly, “You don’t know what cacti like to do, but you certainly know what I want to do. How about a trade? I’ll teach you something you don’t know in exchange for your written stories. Deal?”

“Trade? What else do you have that could stump me besides these three questions?” Zhuang Yu was arrogant.

Lu Tang wasn’t afraid. The worst that could happen was not getting the stories, which was no big deal.

“I do have more. Let’s say I have a talent for languages. I can speak any dialect you name, and even those you don’t. How about a competition?”

Xu Shen knew this was true. Lu Tang could mimic local dialects from their region perfectly, including the tone and expressions.

Raising an eyebrow, Lu Tang continued, “I’ll say a phrase in your Yuhang dialect, and you say one in our Qingshui dialect. Deal? ‘Du bi e zei.'”

Lu Tang said, “I’m hungry,” clearly and accurately.

But Zhuang Yu didn’t know the Qingshui dialect.

Song Qingzhan and Qin Mo exchanged glances, marveling at how someone could finally challenge this old man.

Song Qingzhan quietly gave Lu Tang a thumbs-up. Encouraged, Lu Tang urged Zhuang Yu, “Why don’t you admit defeat for this round?”

Behind his mask, Zhuang Yu’s face darkened. He looked at Lu Tang with a complex expression and said, “If I test you, you might not be able to answer.”

Lu Tang replied easily, “I probably can’t answer. But our game is ‘show you the world,’ not ‘show me the world.’ I’m just trying to tell you that outside of your areas of expertise, there are countless things you don’t know but others do. No one is necessarily stupid. Even Xie Chengnian’s grandson Xie Yu, who was bullied all his life, has his own strengths.”

Mentioning Xie Chengnian made Zhuang Yu’s expression turn cold.

Despite his mask, Lu Tang felt the change in his aura. She thought for a moment and then seriously said, “Xie Yu’s talent for water management far surpasses Xie Chengnian’s. It’s a pity he never had the chance. Otherwise, the younger generation would surely outshine the old.”

Zhuang Yu looked at Lu Tang for a while, then turned to Qin Mo and asked, “Is what she said true?”

Qin Mo knew Xie Yu was good at and passionate about water management, but he wasn’t sure of his exact skill level. Nor did he know if Lu Tang mentioned this due to her friendship with Xie Yu or simply to provoke Zhuang Yu. Nonetheless, it didn’t stop him from supporting her.

“Yes, that’s right. Xie Yu’s skills in water management surpass Xie Chengnian’s. Perhaps…” Qin Mo looked at Song Qingzhan.

Song Qingzhan caught on, “He could compete with Jiang Yi.”

Zhuang Yu removed his mask, his face filled with shocked excitement. “Is he that good?”

Seeing the old man and his few remaining hairs, Lu Tang let out her first genuine “Uh!”

Xu Shen: Damn!

No wonder the old man had such a bad temper. Anyone would be upset losing hair like that, especially when he had a handsome face and likely cared about his appearance.

If he shaved his head completely, he’d look like a stunning monk.

But now, with his half-bald head…

Song Qingzhan continued, “Xie Yu is indeed talented, not only highly skilled but also diligent. Despite being mistreated by his family, he remains kind and pure-hearted.”

“I want to meet him,” Zhuang Yu commanded.

Song Qingzhan looked at Lu Tang.

Zhuang Yu immediately said, “Why are you looking at her when I want to see Xie Yu?”

Lu Tang grinned, “Because Xie Yu is my good friend. If he knows how rude you were to me, he might not want to see you. Moreover, Xie Yu likes to interact with smart people. If he tests you with his water management knowledge and you don’t understand, he might think you’re dumb.”

Zhuang Yu took a deep breath, “Dumb?”

Lu Tang folded her arms, “Didn’t you think I’m not good enough for you?”

Zhuang Yu:…

After living for so many years, he, who made a living with his words, suddenly lost an argument?

But that wasn’t important.

“I want to meet Xie Yu. If he’s really that talented, I’ll ensure his future. I’ve disliked Huang Bangyuan for a long time but couldn’t find a replacement. If Xie Yu is truly capable…”

He didn’t finish his sentence.

His bad temper and sharp tongue were real, but so was his appreciation for talent and concern for the country.